Negative holder for photographic printing machines



May l0, 1932. w. c. HUEBNER NGAIIVE HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Fuga Dec. 1e, 1929 sneets-sheet 2 f 1 Lf 4 a f Ll l May l0, 1932. w. c. HUEBNER NEGATIVE HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING vMACHINES Filed Dec. 16, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

fig L Q ZUM? UfZZz'/m we? z 72655 wf/Mr, @d #a @55g y practice, not only are the number Patented May 10, 1932 WILLIAM c. Hummm, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoR To HUEBNEn-:BLEISTEIN PATENTS COMPANY, F BUFFALO,

NEW YCRK, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK NEGATIVE HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MCHINES Application led December 16, 1929. Serial No. 414,272.

This invention relates to improvements in negative holders for photographic printing machines.

Heretofore, it has been the generally accepted practice, in the art of photographic printing machines, touse a separate main holder or carrier and a separate negative carrying frame proper adapted to be assembled after the negative has been registered in a registering machine, on the register frame proper and while detached from the main holder or carrier, as disclosed for instance in my pending application 297 ,511, filed August 4, 1928. In such former generally accepted of parts involved greater than I have now found necessary but the total weight is excessive, which in turn involves heavy labor on the part of the operators and further greater time isrequired in effecting register of the ne ative and then assembling of the negative rame proper on the main holder or carrier and thereafter applying the negative holder assembly to the photographic printing machine ing roper.

One object of my invention is to provide a negative holding arrangement for '.photographic printing machines which is simpler,

Alighter in weight, constituted of fewer parts,

and in which the registering of the negative may be edected more easily and expeditiously than in any former known type of negative holder.

Another object of my invention is to provide a negative holder of the type indicated in the preceding paragraph which is particularly designed for use in photographic printmachines employing vacuum pressures in obtaining the necessary intimate contact between the negative and press plate during exposure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for negatives of photographic printing machines such that a single frame or carrier or base member is employed on which are mountedall of the devices for securing the negative in adjusted registered position', for adjusting the elevation of the negative to assu-re the proper'bontact with the press piate during exposure, for obtaining a vacuunfscal with the press plate during exposure, and for eiecting coordinated register of the negative with a photographic printing machine proper and a registering device proper. n

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide an arrangement wherein a design comprised of/a plurality of different images, taken from a number of diiferent styles of plates may be set up on the negative holder in desired registered position and impre:; sions thereof for a series 0f dierent colors made directly on a press plate. p

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.- In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a negative holder showing my improvements embodied therein. Figure 2 is an enlarged broken top plan view of one corner of the improved negative holder and illustrating more particularly certain details of construction. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, corresponding to the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a vertical, detailed sectional view corresponding t o the line 4--4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to 'the line 5-5 of Fig'- ure 2. Figure 6 is a broken side elevational view of one of the devices employed in con.- nection with the registering device, usable with the negative holder. Figure 7 is a vertical sectionalview corresponding to the line 7 7 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a vertical view upon an enlarged scale of certain portions of the main carrier or base member proper and corresponds to the line 8---84 of Figure 1. Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating a slightly different embodiment of the invention. And Figure 10 is another View similar to Figure 3, illustrating a still difierent embodiment of my invention.

In said drawings, and referring first to the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the main frame, carrier or base member is designated generally by the reference character A@ theelevating or level adjusting frame by B; a glass negative by C; a peripheral wall by D; the negative clamps by E; and the register blocks by F.

The main frame or base member A is preferably of rectangular outline and is comprised of plates or bars 10 of elongated rectangular cross section, as best shown in Figure 3, said-plates, at the corners of the holder, being eaeh half cut away as indicated at 110 in Figure 4, the said cut away portions overlapping so as to provide joints at the corners of the same thickness as the other portions of the base member, the overlapped corner portions being securely, permanently, rigidly connected together by rivets 11-11 shown in Figure 1. From the preceding description, it wil be seen that the base member A is so constructed as to leave a large rectangular opening for the passage of light to the negative, said opening being defined by the edges 12 of the plates 10. y

Extending completely around the periphery of the base member A is the wall or rail D which preferably is constituted by bars 13 and 14 of rectangular cross section as best shown in Figure 3, the ends of said bars being overlapped at the four corners and rigidly secured together by the screws 15. Said wall or rail D is in turn rigidly secured to the base member A by a series of attaching screws 16 at intervals around the periphery, one of said screws being indicated in Figure 5.

To adapt my improved holder for use in photographic printing machines employing vacuum pressure, a layer of sponge rubber l? is disposed along the top edge lof the rail or wall D and on top of the relatively thick layer of sponge rubber 17 may be placed a strip 18 of dental dam having an overhanging flap 118 so as to insure a perfect vacuum seal when the holder is pressed against a press plate as will be understood by those skilled in the. art. Extending around the inner face of the rail or wall D` except where,-

spaces are left for the clamps E, is a secondary rail or heavy flange 19 secured at intervals to the wall D by suitable screws 20, the height of the secondary rail 19 being greater than that of the wall D but such as to be below the surface of the rubber sealing gasket 17-18 when the latter is in its uncompressed state so as to permit the necessary compression of the rubber sealing gasket bcfore the upper surface ofthe secondary rail 19 bears upon the press plate. Said secondary rail 19, as previously indicated, is interrupted preferably at two points on each side of the negative holder as indica-ted at 2121 to accommodate the clamps E and also for the purpose of lguiding the latter.

The clamps preferably eight in number, are shown of the type particularly adapted for cooperation with glass negatives of the usual form having beveled edges 22, although it will be understood that my improvements are not confined to either clamps of the specified type indicated nor to the use of glass negatives such as indicated at C, it being evident that the invention is equally adaptable for negative holders wherein the negatives are other types. Each of the clamps E is arranged vertically and slides at its lower end on the upper surface of the base member A, said clamps E being movable horizontally toward and from the two median lines of the holder. At its upper end, each clamp E has an inwardly extended beveled finger 23 adapted to engage the correspondin beveled edge 22 of the negative C. It wil be observed that the upper surfaces of the clamps E are disposed below the upper surfaces of the secondary rails 19 of the printing surface of the negative C so as to avoid any scratching of or injury to the press plate surface during exposure or relative shifts between the ne ative and press plate. Each clamp E is a justed inwardly and outwardly by a suitable screw 24 having threaded engagement therewith, each screw 24 having a preferably knurled operating nut 25 at its outer end and the screw being swiveled to the rail or wall D by means of suitable collars 26-27. The clamps E are made of such length that they snu ly fit against the corresponding adjacent e ges of the secondary rail 19 so that the clamps E will be properly guided without twisting, as will be understood.

Inasmuch as glass negatives, which are employed in commercial practice, vary not only in thickness one with respect to another but may vary in thickness at different points in the same negative, it is necessary that provision be made for leveling and adjusting the height of the negative so as to bring its upper printing surface to the proper level substantially flush with the upper surface of the secondary rail 19. For this purpose, I employ the frame B which is of rectangular outline and composed of suitable bars rigidly connected together at the corners and the inner edges 28 of which are vertically alined with the inner edges 12 of the main base member A. Said leveling frame B is preferably provided with a pair of dowel openings at the top and bottom edges as viewed in Figure 1 so as to be vertically slidable on two correspondingly located dowels 29-29 fixedto the base member A. rlhe frame B is adjusted up and down by means of four corner screws 29, one of which is shown in detail in Figure 4, said screws 29 being threaded in the base member A and having knurled operating nuts 30. To maintain the frame B in its vertically adjusted position, four additional set screws 31 are employed, each located adjacent the correspondin leveling screws 29, each of the screws 31 being loosely extended through the base member A and having threaded engagement with the frame B as indicated at 32. Each of the screws 31 has also a knurled operating nut 33 as shown in Figure 4. With this construction, it is evident that the-frame B may be elevated or lowered as an entirety and also that one corner or one side may be raised or loweredv slightly more or less than other portions of the frame B. to compensate for variations in thickness of different negatives C and for variations in a single negative C. The negative C obviously rests upon the upper surface of the frame B and in order to provide a vacuum seal between the negative and thel frame B and between the frame B and base member A, a sti'ip 34 of rubber is secured to the inner face of the frame B around the entire inner opening thereof, said strip of rubber 34 being of such lengththat it always extends past the corresponding edge l2 of the base member A in any vertically adjusted position of the frame B so that when the air is exhausted from between the negative and the press plate, a complete seal will beV provided while at the same time allowing for the vertical adjustments of the fr ame B.

Although my improved holder is primarily designed for use with a registering device of the type that may be applied directly to the improved negative holder as hereinafter described, nevertheless it may sometimes be advisable to use my improved negative holder on a different type of registering device of such character that the holder is detachably mounted on the registering device rather than the registering device mounted on the holder. For this purpose, my improved holder is provided with preferably four dowel bushings 35, two on one of the narrow edges and two on one of the long edgesof the hold er, as indicated in Figure l, the details of one of said dbwel bushings being shown in Figure 8. Each bushing 35 is flush riveted to the base member A and is centrally apert-ured to receive an eccentric secondary bushing 36 having the dowel openin 37 proper formed therein. In this manner, y rotating the sec* ondary bushing 36 and securing it in adj justed position, the center of the dowel opening 35 may be very finely and accurately adjusted so as to insure proper co-ordinated register between the negative holder. and the registering device on which the negative holder may be mounted when effecting register of the negative proper.

After temporarily attaching the negative holder on certain ty es of registering devices, in order to prevent alling off of the negative holder, my improved holder may be provided with one or more threaded bushings 38 as shown in Figure 8, adapted to temporarily receive retaining screws entered therein and passed through suitable portions of the registering device.

Preferably, my improved holder is intended to be used with ay registering device of the type previously indicated wherein the registering device is of light construction and adapted to be temporaril negative holder when etfgcting re ister of the negative. To this end, I employ Vour register blocks F, one on each side of the frame and the details of which register blocks are shown in Figures 6 and 7. From the inspection of Figure l, it will be seen that the pairs of opposite register blocks are located near but to one side of the corresponding medium lines of the holder so as to always insure that the register device is applied properly to th negative holder when making register of the negatives. Each of said registering blocks preferably consists of a rectangular member 39 disposed on the outer side of the rail or wall D and slidably adj ustably mounted on the eX- tended portion of the base member A. Each of said members 39 is adapted to be secured in adjustedposition by a suitable set screw 40 threaded into the wall D, the set screw passing through a horizontally elongated slot/41 in the member 39. Adjustment of the mem-- ber 39 lengthwise of the corresponding edge of the base member A is effected through a screw 42 having swiveled connection with the member 39 and threaded connection with a nut block 43 riveted to the wall or rail D, as clearly shown in Figure 6. All of the register blocks are of like construction except that one of each pair is provided with a true circle dowel opening 44 as shown in Figures 6 and 7, whereas the other blocks of the corresponding pair has an open slot as indicated at 144-144 in Figure l, the reason for this being as follows. The slots 144 will be accurately adjusted to alinement with the corresponding two dowel openings 44 and the two pins of the registering device which are adapted to be seated in said dowel openings may be readily entered, one in the dowel opening 44 proper and the other in the corresponding slot 144, and thereby the true alignment of the registering device with one of the travel lines of the negative holder effected. By employing a true dowel opening, and a slot instead of two true dowel openings, any variation in 'spacing between the two dowel pins of the registering device, which may be caused by expansion or contraction due to changes in temperature, will be readily accommodated as will be understood and without destroying the accuracy of the registering device with the negative holder.

lVith my construction, as above described, it is evident that a minimum number of partsl is employed; the total weight of the negative holder is relatively small so that it may be handled easily by the operator; register of the negative may be effected directly upon the negative holder. which is applied directly to the printing or composing machine, thus obviating the necessity of separate registration of the negative iii a separate negative frame and then assembling the latter with a main mounted on the` vtrated in Figure 9, a similar base 10 is employed, together with a rail clamps E; adjusting screws 24; and leveling and set screws 30 and 33. In this form, however, the leveling frame B is provided around its periphery with clamping plates 60 secured by screws 61, for the inturned marginal edge portions of a flexible film 62, which is extended over the top of the leveling frame B and around the edges thereof and clamped as illustrated.

Said film 62 is preferably made of celophane so as to prevent the transmission of air therethrough. As shown in Figure 9, a glass negative C is supported on top of the film 62 and held in registered position by the clamps E. The use of the film 62 positively insures against any air leakage between the glass negative C and the leveling frame B. In addition, the film 62 may be employed without the glass ne-gative vC and may have ,paper impressions stuck up thereon in registered position, and obviously will provide a true vacuum proof surface. One advantage if paper impressions are stuck thereon for photographing is that the film will readily accommodate itself to points of high pressure under vacuum, as for instance, where there may be an overlapping of the paper impressions. As will be understood, if the glass negative C is vnot employed, the frame B will be elevated sufficiently to bring the filmiip to the plane ordinarily assumed by the upper surface of the glass negative C.

Referring to the modification shown in Figure 10, a main plate 10 is employed, having a side rail D and leveling and set screws 30- and 38, as in the prior described constructions. In this arrangement, the clamps E are not employed and therefore will be maintained preferably in fully retracted position by the adjusting screws 24. The leveling frame B is preferably made of somewhat thinner cross section than those previously described and is adapted to have mounted thereon a preferably wooden frame G of rectangular outline, corresponding to that of the leveling frame B. In this arrangement, the auxiliary wood frameG will be mounted and registered with respect to the leveling frame B, by suitable means such as dowel pins 63 carried by the frame B and registering with corresponding dowel openings 64 in the wood frame B. The wood frame B is adapted to have a fiexible film 65 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for instance by turning the edges of the film around the outer edges of tne frame G and locking the film to the frame by inert plates 66.

In using the construction shown in Figure 10, the film 65 will b'e transparent and blank except that it will have scribed thereon two permanent lines at right angles to each other which correspond tothe two travel lines of the photo-composing means proper. While these scribed lines will be permanent, they will be sufficiently fine so that they will not be photographed onto a'sensitized plate. rI`he film, with these scribed lines will be mounted on the wood frame G, such that the lines are in properly registered position when the wood frame G is mounted on the leveling frame B by means of the dowel arrangement above mentioned. It frequently happens in the art of photo-composing that it is desirable to make up a composed design from a number of separate designs found on lithograph stones or plates. To make such a cornposed design and obtain proper register for the different color series, I use the following method in connection with the construction shown in Figure 10. A block or glass is taken which will fit within the opening of the frame G and on this block or glass is made a key design of the desired composite or composed design, that is, the several individual designs which are to be reproduced in a composed design are mounted on said block or glass, in desired relation. This block or glass having the key composed design thereon is then placed directly underneath and against the film 65. For one color impression of the said composed design, a. plurality of impressions are pulled from the several individual corresponding color stones or plates, said impressions being pulled on transparent films having an adhesive on the underside thereof. These several individual impressions are then stuck down on top of the film 65 in register with the said key design underneath, so that the composed design will be in proper register when the several individual impressions are stuck to the film 65. My improved negative holder shown in Figure 10 may be mounted in a photo-composing machine and photographed on the sensitized plate. The other color series composed designs may be similarly made, either on separate films 65 aceurately mounted on wood frames (i or by reusing the Original film 65 after the first set of impressions has been removed therefrom, the successive color composed designs being registered by use of the key glass or block, previously described.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and all changes and modifications are contemplated that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: v 1. In a holder for negatives for photographic printing machines, the combination With a base member having a central opening; of an upstanding wall on and extending aroundthe periphery of the base member, said wall having 'vacuum seal forming means thereon; adjustable 1means mounted on said base member for securing a negative in adjusted position thereon; means mounted on said base member for adjusting the level of the negative with respect to the base member; and means on said base member for detachably receiving a registering device.

2. In a holder fora glass negative for photographic printing machines, the combination with a base member having a central opening; of adjustable clamps permanently carried by and directly mounted on said base member arranged to engage the edges of a glass negative; means mounted on said base member for adjusting the level of a glass negative; and means on said base member for detachably receiving a registering device in predetermined position thereon.

3. In a holder for glass negatives for photographic printing machines, the combination with a base member having a central opening; of an` upstanding wall on and extending around the periphery of the base member, the upper edge of said wall being provided with vacuum seal-forming means; clamps adjustably mountedy on said base member; a leveling frame adjustably mounted on the base member; and means on the base member for detachably attaching a registering device thereto.'

4. In a holder for negatives for photographic printing machines, the combination with a base member having a central opening; of adjustable means mounted on said base member for securing a negative in adjusted position; means mountedy on said base member for adjusting the level of the negative; and means onsaid base member for detachably receiving in predetermined position a registering device, said means being adjustable with respect to the base member.

5. In a holder for negatives for photographic printing machines, the combination with a base member having a central open-Y ing and an upstanding rail extending around the periphery thereof; of vacuum seal-forming means disposed along the upper surface of said rail; a leveling frame disposed within said rail; means for adjusting the height of said leveling. frame a vacuum seal-formoo ing means interposed between said leveling frame and the bas'e member.

6. In a negative holder of the character described, the. combination with a base memberi.adaptedto be used inra photographic,

65 printing machine; of means permanently mounted on said base member for securing a negative in adjusted position thereon for exposure when said member is used in a photographic printing machine register blocks permanently mounted on said base member, each of said register blocks being adjustable with respectl to the base member.

7. In a holder of the class described, the combination with a base member having a central opening; of an upstanding Wall on and extending around the periphery of the base member and said wall having vacuum seal-forming means thereon; a leveling frame adjustably mounted on said base member; an auxiliary frame detachably mounted on said leveling frame in a predetermined position thereon g. means for securing a flexible film oli said auxiliary frame; and vacuum seal-forming means between the film and the main frame.

8. In a holder of the class described, the combination with a base member having a central opening; of an upstanding Wall on and extending around the periphery of the base member and said wall having vacuum seal-forming means thereon; a leveling frame adjustably mounted on said base member; an auxiliary frame detachably mounted on said leveling frame in a predetermined position thereon; a film having register marks thereon secured to said auxiliary frame in predetermined position thereof; and means providing a vacuum seal between said film and main frame.

9. In a holder for negatives for photographic printing machines, the combination with a base member having a central opening and an upstanding Wall extending around the periphery thereof; of vacuum seal-forming means disposed along the upper surface of said wall; a leveling frame disposed within said wall and having a similar central opening; means for adjusting the height of said leveling frame; a flexible film secured to said leveling frame on the upper surface thereof; means providing a vacuum seal between said film and base member; and adjustable means mounted on said base member for securing a negative superposed on said film, in position.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3rd day of December, 1929.

VILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

ICE 

